The latest JobSpeak report released by job portal Naukri has revealed that recruitment for AI-related roles in the IT sector increased by 16% over the past month, while overall IT hiring declined by 3% during the same period. The trend highlights a significant shift in hiring priorities as companies increasingly focus on AI-driven technologies and digital transformation initiatives.

The report is based on an analysis of job listings from more than 150,000 companies across sectors.

According to the findings, demand is rising sharply for professionals with expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Data Science and related emerging technologies. Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who possess practical experience with AI tools, automation platforms and advanced analytics solutions.

The growing preference for AI-skilled professionals suggests that technology companies are redirecting investments toward future-focused capabilities rather than conventional IT functions.

Info Edge Chief Executive Officer Hitesh Oberoi said the widening gap between AI hiring and overall IT recruitment reflects where technology firms are concentrating their resources.

“The divergence between AI and overall IT hiring shows where technology companies continue to invest. AI is rapidly becoming a core capability area, particularly as demand shifts toward more senior and specialised talent,” Oberoi said.

The report also noted that AI and Machine Learning hiring increased by 25% across 14 sectors, indicating that demand is no longer limited to technology companies alone.

Among the strongest-performing industries were insurance and consumer goods, where organisations have accelerated the adoption of AI-powered solutions to improve customer engagement, operational efficiency and decision-making processes.

The findings come at a time when concerns are growing over the impact of automation and AI on traditional technology jobs.

Last month, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest software exporter, indicated that hiring across the IT sector could slow in the coming years as companies adopt AI technologies at scale. The company has been actively integrating AI agents into its operations and has spoken about building a workforce model where human employees and AI systems work together more extensively.

TCS had earlier reduced more than 12,000 positions, while its overall employee count declined by over 23,000 during the financial year ended March 2026, reflecting broader restructuring efforts underway across the technology industry.

Industry analysts believe the latest hiring data signals a structural transformation rather than a temporary trend. As businesses continue investing in AI-driven products and services, professionals with specialised expertise in machine learning models, data engineering, generative AI applications and automation technologies are expected to remain in high demand.

At the same time, the report suggests that job seekers may increasingly need to upskill in AI-related domains to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving employment market.

With AI adoption accelerating across industries, the technology is emerging as one of the most influential drivers of hiring decisions in India’s digital economy.

PM Modi to Hand Over Job Letters to 51,000 Youths at 19th Rozgar Mela Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute appointment letters for government jobs to more than 51,000 young candidates on Saturday, as the Centre continues its flagship recruitment drive under the Rozgar Mela initiative.

The 19th edition of the event is scheduled for 11 AM and will be conducted via video conferencing, with physical venues set up across 47 cities nationwide. Officials said the selected candidates will receive offers from multiple central departments, including Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Financial Services, and Higher Education.

Over 51,000 Appointments

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the distribution covers fresh recruits who have cleared various selection processes. While the bulk of appointments are in Group C and D posts, a smaller number of Group B positions are also included.

“The Rozgar Mela is a major scheme to provide employment to the country’s youth,” a government spokesperson said, adding that the drive aims to speed up recruitment and reduce vacancies across ministries. Saturday’s event alone will see more than 51,000 job letters issued.

47 Cities Across India

The mela will be held simultaneously in state capitals and major urban centres, including Lucknow, Patna, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh, among others. Regional nodal officers have been appointed to oversee the smooth distribution of offer letters at each location.

Local authorities have set up help desks at the venues to assist candidates with document verification and onboarding formalities. In many cities, the events will be streamed live so that participants can view the PM’s address.

PM’s Social Media Post

Ahead of the event, Modi posted on X, reiterating the government’s commitment to youth empowerment. “Our administration is continuously working for a better future and to strengthen the hands of the young generation,” he wrote. “The Rozgar Mela is providing an opportunity for youth to secure government jobs.”

This is not the first time the Prime Minister has highlighted the mela’s reach. In previous addresses, he has described it as a transparent, fast-track mechanism to fill vacancies without the traditional delays.

12 Lakh Beneficiaries So Far

The Rozgar Mela was first launched on October 22, 2022. At that time, Modi had set a target of providing 10 lakh government jobs by the end of 2023. Official data shows that around 12 lakh appointments have already been made across 18 earlier editions.

A record 1 lakh job letters were handed out on February 12, 2024, during the 12th Rozgar Mela, which came just before the general elections. By early 2025, the cumulative figure crossed the 11-lakh mark. The 18th mela saw 61,000 youths receive appointment letters.

Focus on Women Empowerment

During the 18th Rozgar Mela, the Prime Minister had pointed to rising female participation in the workforce. “Women are leading in startups across the country. The rate of women’s self-employment has increased by 15%,” he said in his virtual address. More than 8,000 women received appointment letters in that single event.

Officials familiar with the recruitment data said Saturday’s distribution is also expected to have significant female representation, though final numbers will be available after the event.

Next Steps for New Recruits

Candidates who receive job letters today will undergo induction training under the government’s revised capacity-building framework. Many will join their postings within the next four to six weeks, depending on departmental clearances.

With the 19th Rozgar Mela underway, the government has indicated that more editions are planned in the coming months. While no fresh targets have been announced, sources said the focus remains on completing pending recruitment from earlier notifications. 

Jupiter’s Aspect Brings Salary Hike Clarity

Long pending promotions will be announced today as benefic Jupiter looks at the house of profession.

The expansive energy of Jupiter is casting its direct 5th aspect on the 10th house of career for the nation. According to Vedic principles, this alignment favours job switches and salary negotiations. HR managers confirm a sudden surge in resignation mails today.

IT and Software Sector

For techies, this is a "double transit" effect. If you are interviewing for a foreign client, expect the offer letter within 72 hours. However, avoid joining a company whose name starts with "S" – it may lead to layoffs later.

Government Jobs

Candidates who appeared for banking or railway exams will see results favouring them. The planet Jupiter in Gemini favours analytical sections. A specific recruitment drive for 1,700 posts will be announced on news channels by afternoon.

Entrepreneurship

Startups dealing with logistics and transport will sign a major B2B contract. The energy of the number 6 (linked to Venus) brings luxury goods sales up. Do not lend money to your business partner, no matter how emotional they get.

Stock Market Tip

Astro-finance experts say: Buy pharma and fertilizer stocks. Avoid real estate and aviation for today. The Nifty might dip at 11 AM but recover sharply after 2 PM. Keep a stop loss on intraday trades.

Freelancer’s Day

Freelancers in content writing and graphic design will get a "dream client" who pays in foreign currency (USD/GBP). Check your spam folder for a potential email sent at 4:17 AM.

Remedy for Job Loss

Those currently unemployed should offer water to the Sun god (Surya) 17 times before noon. Also, touch a broomstick in your house and then touch your forehead – it removes job-related negativity.

Warning for Investors

Do not invest in any "Get Rich Quick" scheme today despite Jupiter’s optimism. A friend from school might try to sell you a crypto token. Politely refuse. Invest only in FD or gold sovereign bonds.

The evening is perfect for updating your LinkedIn profile. Add the keyword "strategic" to your headline for algorithmic luck.